Baking powder and baking soda research

608 Words2 Pages

The chemical name for baking soda is (Reference 1) sodium bicarbonate and the symbol equation for it is NaHCO3 and the thermal break down of it is
Sodium hydrogen sodium carbonate +carbon dioxide +water
2NaHCO3 - Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2 .
168g 106g 18g 44g
Both baking powder and baking soda are chemical leavening agents that cause the batter to rise when baked. It enlarges the bubbles which are already in the batter through the creaming of ingredients.

What does baking powder and baking powder contain?

(Reference 2) Baking powder is made up of three parts an acid which can be cream of tartar (potassium tartrate), a base (baking powder) and a starch filler to absorb the moisture. Baking soda is made up purely by sodium bicarbonate a chemical salt.

How baking powder and baking soda work?

(Reference 3) Baking powder consists of an acid component, an alkali and a moisture absorber. When the acid component and the baking powder react with each other with the liquid present, CO2 bubbles are released and held in place by the egg, hence we add liquid last so the baking powder reacts at the end to form a fluffy spongy layer. Baking powder comes in 2 versions a single acting powder and double acting powder. The single acting powder contains acids that dissolve in water so the chemical reaction starts as soon as a liquid is added. The double acting agent works in two ways along with the acid that’s inside the single acting powder, it has an additional acid that only dissolves when it’s hot inside the oven; this offers extra bubble production. however too much of the baking powder gives of too much carbon dioxide this means too many bubbles may form, join together and burst out of the cake but too little of it...

... middle of paper ...

...n be used for numerous reasons besides baking e.g. keeps food fresh in the fridge, absorbs odours, cleans kitchenware when mixed with other cleaning agents and lastly it tenderises meat.

Reference 1: http://www.innovateus.net/food/what-chemical-name-baking-soda
Reference 2: http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/tools-and-techniques/baking-powder.htm
Reference 3: http://www.nowforthesciencebit.com/culinary-science/how-does-baking-powder-work
Reference 4: http://chemistry.about.com/od/foodcookingchemistry/a/How-Baking-Powder-Works.htm
Reference 5: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/glossary/bicarbonate-soda
Reference 6: http://chemistry.about.com/od/foodcookingchemistry/a/How-Baking-Soda-Works-For-Baking.htm
Reference 7: http://m.theepochtimes.com/n2/life/baking-soda-versus-baking-powder-275495.html
Reference 8: http://chemistry.about.com/cs/foodchemistry/f/blbaking.htm

More about Baking powder and baking soda research

Open Document